The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-08-19
THE MISER'S HAND.

Ohe evening, IN the year l02O, n female,
completely enveloped in a long black
mantle, Was walking toward the bridge of
Rlalto, IN Venice. Her steps were weak
and uneven, and ut intervals she looked
around with a hurried, frightful glance.
She paused at the centre OF the bridge.
and looked down with a shudder on the
clear, blue waters of the Adriatic: then.
closing her eyes, and murmuring family.
Antonio, my Antonio - Adieu - she
prepared TO throw herself over the para
pet.
Just rs she was falling a man rushed
forward, seized her with powerful grasp,
and drawing her back, said
Girl, destroy not the life which has
been given you! If You are unhappy
enter your church, kneel on its hallowed
pavement, pour out your sorrow, and
thank your Maker that YOU have been
preserved from rushing uncalled into his
presence !"
The girl tried impatiently to shake off
the strong, kind hand that held her, and
SAID, =
LET me go! must die in peace -
In another moment she tOttered and
fell to the ground, where she Law without
sense or motion. Her preseryer raised
her head, and, in order to give her air,
drew back the veil which concealed her
features They were lovely and the man
gazed on her with wonder and admira-
ton as she was gradually restored.
BY degrees she told him who she was
and where she lived. Her history might
be summed up in a few words: An avar-
icious father, = poor lover, a mutual but
unhappy love. Nainly had Maria pleaded
with her father, a rich innkeeper in Ven
ice, the cause of her lover, Antonio Barb
arigo, the handsomest gondoller plvinp
beneath the Bridge of Signs.
At length, this evening, her father.
Giannettini, so far forgot himself a TO
strike his daughter with some violence;
and she, with far more culpablc neglect
of her duty, fed from her home, and. As
we have seen, WAS arrested on the very
verge of suicide.
The person who had saved her led her
gently to her home, and having given her
up to her father, seated himself in an
obscure corner of the hostelry.
GlannettIni received his child with rude
reProaches and, bidding her retire to
her own apartment, he cast a suSDiciOus
glance at the person who had brought
her home, whose stout, manly figure and
firm countenance, however, deferred the
lnnkecper from addressing him in a hos
tile manner.
As Maria turned to depart a Young
gondolier appeared At the door, and furt-
lively approaching her, said -
dearest, Dearest :"
Gianncttini rushed forward. shouting-
"Out OF this! Out OF nay house, beg
gar"
The young man did not stir.
"Haye you finished ?' he said, in a
gOod-humorcd tone. Wherefore these
hard words Have you never loved Siy-
nor Giannettini ? Have you totally for
gotten the feelings of your youth Do
you not know that since | was ten wears
old, and Maria five, We have loved Zach
other fondly? Will you not, then. allow
us to hallow your old age with grateful
blessings, or must We water your path
with tears"
Il don't want to have a parcel of beg
gers for my grandchildren" said Giannet-
TIM. roughly.
Certainly, you are rich" replied the
young man; but what hinders that [
should not become 50, too 4 stout arm.
brave heart, an honest soul, will, with
the help OF Heaven, do great deal, sig
nor"
A lovers dream ~
"Nay,' said Antonio, ''it is sober sense.
Prince Lorenzo de Mcdici WAS a mcrch-
ant Duke Glacomo Sforzo cowherd."
The man in the corner had hardened
attentively TO this dialogue He arose.
and touching Barbarigo's shoulder, said,-
We'll spoken, Gondolierl Courage
brings success, and struggling, conquest.
Maria shall be thy wife,
Never" cried Gianncttini. -
well, said the unknown, turning dis
dainfully toward him, III this youth could
lay down six hundred pistolcs. would YOU
object TO the marriage, Signor Giannet-
tine ?'
BE that ne it may, you must remember
that he Is now little better than a pau
per"
"Pshaw,' said the unknown; "bab-
blers are more tircsome than thieves!
Before tomorrow you shall handle that
sum"
50 saving, he drew from his pocket a
piece Of parchment and ! crayon, and.
turning To table, began rapidly to sketch
4 man S hand. 1t WAS represented open,
impatient, with followed palm, as if cx-
pectins shower Of gold pieces 1t had,
- - ~ ...., ...l .NLr,.O,.5 r&PTCsS4Ol. .,.-I
one OF the fingers was cncircIcd with 4
ring.
- 'Tis my hand ~ cried Gianncttini.
and your history" said the artist
Giving the sketch to Antonio, the
author desired him to carry il to Pietro
Bcnvolo, librarian at the palace OF It.
Mark, and demand in exchange for il six
thousand pistoles.
"iSix hundred fools heads ~ cried the
inn keeper. Il would not give zecehiD
for it"
Without speaking, the artist turned
away.
The g0ndolicr took the parchment and
looked with aStOnishmcnt At its gllise
He then turned doubtfully towards Ma
ma, but n glance from her soft dark eyes
him, and he set out on his mis-
sion.
With folded arms and moody brow |
he artist commenced pacing up and down |
he room in the hOStelry, casting ut inter |
Ials scrutlnizing glance at the young |
yirl, who, now penitent for her intended |
rhine, Was silently praying in corner.
As for Giannettlni, he seemed unable to |
shake of the strange ascendcncy gained |
'ver him by his unknown visitor; his
Iabitual effrontery failed him, and, for
he first time in his life, he dared not |
Freak the silence.
An hour passed; then hastv, JOYOUS |
teps were heard, and Antonio appeared, |
,earing in his hand 4 bag and a letter |
he bag contained six hundred pistOles,
nd the letter was addressed to the art
&, and prayed him to honor the librar-
IN with visit.
Take these coins and weigh them"
aid the unknown, as he threw the bag
Dward Gianncttini.
Antonio Barharigo stood before his
enefactor, pale and trembling with joy.
One favor more" he said - who are
ou -
What does il matter ~
What does II matter, say YOU >" cried
nc gondolicr. Much, much to me!
ell me your name, signor that | NAV
we and honor it to the last moment OF
~ life -
Men call me Michael Angelo"
As To the cravon sketch OF the miscr's